CLERMONT, Fla. – The Kalamazoo College softball team split their doubleheader on Friday afternoon, defeating SUNY New Paltz 5-4 in game one before falling to UW LaCrosse 8-0 (six innings) in game two.
After today's doubleheader, the Hornets are now 4-2 on the season.
Game One vs SUNY New Paltz – W, 5-4
SUNY New Paltz jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the fifth inning before the Hornets responded in the bottom half.
Ella Neumann sparked the offense with a triple down the right field line, driving in
Lily Evans to put the Hornets on the board at 4-1.
In the sixth, the Hornets rallied to claim their first lead of the game.
Jordan Wesaw reached first on a muffed throw, advancing to second and bringing in
Landrie Fridsma to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Neumann followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Wesaw, making it a one-run game.
Macy Ward then stepped up as a pinch-hitter, ripping a shot down the left-field line to bring in
Emma Newlove and Neumann, giving the Hornets a 5-4 advantage.
The Hornets' defense held the Hawks in the top of the seventh inning to secure the comeback victory.
Neumann finished 2-3 with a triple and two RBIs.
Brenna Fisher,
Landrie Fridsma,
Delaney Lee, and
Macy Ward each contributed a hit.
Jordan Cook got the start in the circle, allowing eight hits and four runs while striking out five.
Cecilia Schihl took over in the fourth inning, giving up just on hit to earn the win, improving to 2-0 on the season.
Game Two vs UW LaCrosse – L, 8-0 (6 innings)
UW LaCrosse jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead by the second inning and secured an 8-0 mercy-rule victory in the sixth.
Emma Newlove went 1-3 with a double to right field, while
Lily Evans made the most of her pinch-hitting opportunity with a double to left.
Landrie Fridsma,
Jordan Wesaw,
Bella Caza, and
Maddie Potts each notched a hit.
Maddy Vrba got the start in the circle and suffered the loss (1-1) after tossing 5 innings.
The Hornets return to action tomorrow, facing Wooster at 10:00 a.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. matchup against Trinity.
